The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-11-24
A Romance of the Rail.
GERTRUDE PRESCOTT THOMPSON.

1t was on the Pan Handle railroad
in January, 1868, and the train was run
ming from Cincinnati to Chicago. l got
on board at Newcastle, Ind. Entering
a car in the middle of the train l seated
myself about third way down on the
right and was soon busy studying the
passengers. Presently my mind was
attracted by little girl, apparently
about eight years of age, who sat in the
seat in front of me. Beside her sat a
young lady, seemingly 20 years of age,
rosy cheeks, laughing eyes and sweet
and gentle voice. These points 1 noted
in her animated conversation with the
little one, who was evidently her sister.
Carrie, the little girl, had one of
those toy telegraphic "ticlSers," and
she was having high time
with it, regardless of the ominous
looks and frowns of an old
maid, who sat few seats front, on the
other side. AS she continued her sport,
alternately ticking her machine, then
suddenly darting to an unoccupied seat
and ingratiating herself into the good
grcces of the being who might be
occupying the other end, she became
quite well acquainted, during the long
trip, with the whole car the aforesaid
old maid excepted.
During the course Of her meanderings
she spied vacant seat in the rear of the
one she occupied and flew to it, ticker
in hand. The other occupant of the
seat was young man who had been
interestcdly watching the frolics of the
happy darling, and he Immediately
began conversation with her, which
resulted in his obtaining possession of
the ticker.
Placing the ticker on the sill, that it
might more closely resemble a true
telegraph machine, he began to form
the letters of the alphabet. AS the
sound fell on my ears, noticed with
surprise that the attention of the young
lady in front of him was also CEN
tired in the sound, produced by the
operator.
I listened, chow could I help
it; everybody heard IT'D and by and
by l recognized words, carefully spelled.
Soon he framed sentence. 1t was,
"Going homer What could he mean
by thata He looked toward the young
lady; she nodded her head in affirma-
ton of the telegraphed query. Could
1t be he was talking with her? Soon,
came again from the machine, carelessly
spelt this time, apparently to mislead
those who were able to understand, 'Is
your father the same as ever2' another
nod. 1t must be- He was talking tc
her. What could l dol 1t was wrong
to play the eavesdropper, but if people
will talk out loud in your presence, arc
you to blame for hearing9
1t was soon apparent that the youne
man, the young lady and myself wert
the only ones in the cars who un-
derstood the mystic signs Of
the electric wire and, swallowing my
scruples, I lay back and prepared to listen
The conversation consisted of just such
talk as might pass between acquaint-
ances who had not met for about si1
months, although it was confined mostly
to him, as her share consisted of guard
ed mods or shakes of the head. H,
asked for her health; her family's, and
finally touched on matter which thu
scribe could not well fathom, but, from
the color of the lady's face and her i'm
patient mods, judged it was unpleasant
or, at least, disagreeablc. Then h
wound up by telegraphing: 81 must ge
out here; this is my home"
'Log'nsp'tn the brakeman shouted
and the young man disappeared.
As soon as the train was under wa,
again, Carrie began again her wander
ings, and this time seated herself be
side me. Being fond of children,
talked with her on one subject ant
another, when it occurred to me to hav
little fun with the ticker. Procuring
it of the little one, asked:
''Do you know how to telegraph"
"No, SIR"
"Would you like to take lessonr
eyes, sir! Sister has tried to teacl
me, but can't learn, somehow"
Never eltheless, l began the lesson.
first made a, then b, then C, then spel
"C-a-r-r-i-e," telling her as went alon
what letters l was making. So en-
crossed was / that / did not notice
pair of lustrous gray eyes and flamin
cheeks over in the seat in front, until
heard voice of silvery sweetness say
Excuse me, please, sir, but do Yo
understand the telegraph
81 believe am sufficiently acouainte